Chapter 64: Shadows First Stir in the Immortal Gate

The sense of unease in Yun Yao’s heart coiled tightly around her like ivy; she was not intoxicated by the superficial praise.

That fleeting, shadowy figure, coupled with the furtive behavior of the disciples in the corner of the plaza, all pointed to undercurrents surging beneath a calm facade.

She resolved to investigate the truth and would never allow the immortal sect to fall into the vortex of a conspiracy.

Night descended like a drawn curtain, and the moonlight spilled down like a thin veil, casting a cold, silvery sheen over the immortal sect.

Avoiding the patrolling disciples, Yun Yao shuttled with agile grace among the winding corridors and covered walkways, ultimately arriving at an abandoned training ground in the back mountains of the sect.

It was eerie and dark here, the air heavy with the scent of decay. The wind whistling through the dilapidated structures sounded like whimpering, making one's hair stand on end.

Though the palms of her hands grew slightly damp with sweat, Yun Yao firmly stepped forward.

Suddenly, a sharp, cold voice shattered the silence: "Yun Yao, what are you sneaking around here for?"

Yun Yao turned her head to see Senior Sister Leng Shuang standing not far away with an unkind expression. Dressed in a plain white robe, Senior Sister Leng Shuang appeared exceptionally cold and aloof under the moonlight. Her arms were crossed over her chest in a questioning posture.

Helplessness washed over Yun Yao; it was obvious that Senior Sister Leng Shuang had been sent by someone.

She did her best to soften her tone and explained, "Senior Sister, I merely felt that something was amiss here, so I wished to come and take a look."

"Amiss? I think you are just trying to seize the opportunity to cause sabotage!" Senior Sister Leng Shuang sneered, her tone biting and sarcastic. "You newcomers only know how to put on a front. Don't think you can do whatever you please just because you've won the elders' praise!"

Yun Yao frowned slightly, attempting to explain further, "Senior Sister, you have misunderstood. I truly only wanted to—"

"Enough!" Senior Sister Leng Shuang gave her no chance to defend herself, cutting her off with an even harsher tone. "You had best stay obediently in your quarters and stop stirring up trouble everywhere, or don't blame me for being discourteous!"

The dispute between the two gradually grew louder, echoing through the empty training ground.

Attracted by the commotion, surrounding disciples gathered around one after another. Their gazes held suspicion and distrust, acting like an invisible net that tightly bound Yun Yao.

Yun Yao felt a tremendous wave of pressure bearing down on her.

Just as the atmosphere reached a breaking point, a familiar voice rang out: "Junior Sister Leng Shuang, what are you doing?"

The clear, resonant voice cut through the fog like sunlight, instantly dispelling the oppressive atmosphere over the training ground.

Everyone looked toward the sound to see a young disciple in martial attire striding forward. With his sword-like eyebrows, star-like eyes, and resolute expression, he was none other than Lin Feng, the immortal sect's renowned and steadfast guardian.

With a gaze as burning as a torch, Lin Feng swept his eyes over the hostile Senior Sister Leng Shuang, his tone laced with a hint of reproach. "Junior Sister Leng Shuang, why are you here bickering with Junior Sister Yun? Have you forgotten the rules of the sect forbidding the unprovoked creation of trouble?"

Intimidated by Lin Feng’s imposing aura, Senior Sister Leng Shuang was momentarily at a loss for words. Her eyes flickered as she stammered, "I... I merely thought her actions were suspicious and wished to question her clearly."

"Suspicious actions?" Lin Feng let out a cold laugh, his words ringing with conviction. "Junior Sister Yun has just rendered a great service to the sect, yet you slander her here. Could it be that you are trying to shield the real traitor?"

His sharp gaze swept over the surrounding onlookers with a warning edge: "The same goes for all of you. Do not be used by those with ulterior motives to become pawns in their hands!"

Within the crowd, people began to murmur in low voices, and the looks directed at Senior Sister Leng Shuang filled with doubt.

Turning pale, Senior Sister Leng Shuang opened her mouth, only to find herself incapable of refuting Lin Feng's words. The bewilderment and shock in her eyes gradually became apparent.

Watching Lin Feng step forward to defend her, a wave of warmth surged through Yun Yao’s heart. This upright senior brother was one of the very few allies she had found after arriving in this world, and she felt deeply grateful that he believed in her.

At that moment, a cool, detached voice drifted from afar, carrying a trace of unperceived tenderness: "What has happened?"

Once again, the crowd looked toward the source to see Jun Mohan standing upright on the outer periphery of the group. His ink-black robes drifted slightly in the night breeze, and an overwhelming, undeniable aura radiated from his entire being.

His appearance instantly captured everyone's gaze, while easing the tense atmosphere of the training ground.

He walked straight to Yun Yao’s side, worry and care evident in his eyes. Gently taking Yun Yao's hand, the warmth of his palm dispelled the chill in her heart.

Feeling the temperature of his palm, Yun Yao's heart fluttered erratically, and a slight blush crept onto her cheeks.

Witnessing this scene, the surrounding disciples wore looks of envy, and a few female disciples even let out soft sighs.

Paying no heed to the surrounding gazes, Jun Mohan had eyes only for Yun Yao. He asked with gentle concern, "Are you hurt?"

Yun Yao shook her head. Though her heart felt sweet, a trace of unease lingered; she had a lingering intuition that today's events would not end so simply.

Seemingly sensing Yun Yao's disquiet, Jun Mohan gently patted the back of her hand, giving her a reassuring look before turning to Lin Feng. His voice was calm yet carried an unquestionable majesty: "Lin Feng, leave this matter to you to investigate thoroughly."

Lin Feng cupped his fists in assent, his eyes resolute.

Turning back to Yun Yao, Jun Mohan's eyes surged with love like a tide. He whispered softly, "Yao'er, I will always be by your side."

A thrill ran through Yun Yao's heart. Just as she was about to speak, Jun Mohan suddenly looked into the distance, his gaze turning sharply piercing. He squeezed Yun Yao's hand and said meaningfully, "This matter does not appear simple..."

Gazing into Jun Mohan's profound eyes, Yun Yao felt the turbulent emotions within her yet to settle before an invisible pressure abruptly descended.

She had vaguely noticed a moment earlier that in the direction of Jun Mohan's gaze, something seemed to shatter in the void, and a faint scorched odor lingered in the air.

A chill struck her heart, for she knew this was no coincidence; someone was undoubtedly pulling the strings from the shadows.

Feigning physical discomfort, she excused herself and returned to her quarters with Jun Mohan.

Once the door was bolted, Yun Yao immediately shared her discoveries with Jun Mohan.

She recounted the anomalies she had witnessed moments ago, along with her suspicion that something was amiss among the high-ranking members of the sect.

However, when she reached out to retrieve the object found in the back mountains—which she suspected to be a crucial clue—she discovered that the papers she had carefully stowed away had turned to ash, leaving behind only a faint, burnt stench.

Yun Yao's heart plummeted, and an intense wave of powerlessness washed over her.

Clenching her fists, her nails dug deeply into her palms, and she felt an unspeakable despair.

The forces behind the scenes were far too powerful, capable of erasing the evidence she had worked so hard to find with such ease. It made her feel as though she were trapped in an inescapable, airtight web.

Suppressing the anger within her, Yun Yao drew a deep breath and quickly calculated her next move.

Suddenly wearing a dejected expression, she intentionally raised her voice so outsiders could hear: "Alas, it seems I had better stay out of the sect's affairs to avoid bringing disaster upon myself."

For the next few days, Yun Yao exhibited a complete indifference toward the sect's affairs. Either she basked in the sunlight in her courtyard, or she idled away chatting with Senior Sister Leng Shuang, occasionally slacking off in the training ground—altogether putting on the act of having entirely given up the investigation.

This caused the traitorous elder and his subordinates, who had been secretly watching her, to lower their guards. Mocking Yun Yao's incompetence and cowardice, they deemed her nothing more than all talk and no substance, incapable of making waves.

Judging that the timing was right, Yun Yao initiated her covert operations.

Taking advantage of the deep, quiet night, she slipped quietly into a secluded location frequently visited by the traitorous elder.

It was an abandoned pavilion situated at the edge of the immortal sect's forbidden grounds, perpetually gloomy, damp, and redolent of decay, evoking a deep sense of oppression.

The interior of the pavilion was piled high with clutter and draped in spiderwebs, clearly untouched for a very long time.

Holding her breath, Yun Yao searched every corner with meticulous care, missing not a single trace.

Just as she was about to give up, she discovered a strange symbol drawn in blood upon the wall in the deepest recesses of the pavilion.

The symbol was twisted and eerie, exuding an unsettling aura.

Before Yun Yao could examine it closely, a hurried flurry of footsteps sounded from outside the pavilion.

"The elder gives the order: search thoroughly, and let no suspicious person escape!"

Oh no!

Alarm spiked in Yun Yao's heart as she realized she had been discovered. She cast her gaze around, only to find that she had nowhere left to run.